Dynamo defeat depleted Feyenoord

FC Dynamo Kyiv took a huge step towards the next round of the UEFA Champions League as they beat Feyenoord, their closest rivals in Group E, 2-0 at the Olympiyskyi stadium in the Ukrainian capital.

Dynamo look good
The win, which leaves Dynamo with seven points from four games, moves them two points ahead of their opponents and into second place in the group, level on points with leaders Juventus FC who lost 1-0 at Newcastle United FC. Feyenoord, who were missing two of their key players in Pierre van Hooijdonk and Paul Bosvelt, both absent due to injury, rarely threatened their opponents’ goal, and the home team were worthy winners.

Corner chaos
The first half was a tight affair, with both sides seemingly only too aware of the dangers of leaving gaps in defence and therefore reluctant to commit too many players forward. However, Dynamo had marginally the better of the opening period, and were particularly dangerous from corner kicks, with every high ball into the area causing problems in the Feyenoord defence.

Near misses
In the eleventh minute, Badr El Kaddouri’s deep in-swinging corner under the crossbar was completely missed by Feyenoord goalkeeper Edwin Zoetebier but was eventually cleared, only for Dynamo captain Valentin Belkevich to force a good save from Zoetebier after picking up the loose ball. Four minutes later, the home team went even closer, as Diogo Rincón burst clear down the left, but Zoetebier raced off his line to deny the striker.

Deadlock broken
However, the deadlock was broken from the resulting corner. El Kaddouri delivered another good ball to the near post, where Feyenoord’s Ramon van Haaren inadvertently flicked the cross away from his own keeper, and Aliksandr Khatskevich was on hand to sidefoot the ball into the net at the far post.

Dynamo dangerous
Clear chances were few and far between in the remainder of the half, as Feyenoord pressed forward without ever really threatening the home team. Two half-chances for Ivory Coast international Bonaventure Kalou that flashed harmlessly wide were the closest they came. Dynamo looked marginally more dangerous on the break but failed to capitalise on their quick attacks, and the first half ended 1-0 to the hosts.

Killer second goal
Feyenoord’s hopes suffered a further blow two minutes after the restart, as they were caught pushing too far forward and Maksim Shatsikikh, who was impressive all night, burst clear down the Dynamo left. He drew the two covering defenders before unselfishly squaring the ball to Belkevich who made no mistake from the edge of the area.

Continuing threat
The goal effectively ended the game as a contest, but Feyenoord continued to press forward without ever looking like scoring the goal they needed to get back into the match. Indeed, it was the home team who looked the more threatening as they defended deeply and tried to hit their Dutch opponents on the counterattack. Shatskikh fired into the sidenetting, and, in the last action of the game, Georgi Peev blasted high over the bar after more unselfish work from the tireless Shatskikh.